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Earth Science Notes
Atomic Structure
Objectives
I can…
Define atoms
Identify the parts of an atom
Describe Variations to Atomic Structure
Identify chemical symbols for given
elements and determine the number of
protons, neutrons, and electrons from the
atomic and mass numbers.
Atomic Structure
Atoms are the fundamental
structure for all materials on
Earth and the Universe.
In order to understand the
Earth’s landforms and
structures, we have to
understand the things that
make those structures up MATTER
This landform has a reddish
color due to the fact that its
comprised of iron oxide Fe2O3
Atomic Structure
Atom – the smallest
particle an element
can be broken down
into and still retain its
chemical properties.
Landforms are made from
Rocks, Rocks are made
from Minerals, minerals are
made from atoms
Above diagram shows the basic
Silicon-oxygen structure of Quartz
Atomic Structure
Structure of an atom:
Protons – positively charged particles
found in the nucleus of an atom.
Neutrons – largest subatomic particle
(barely), very dense, found in nucleus.
Electrons – negatively charged particles
with virtually no mass, located out side the
nucleus.
Atomic Structure
Atomic Structure
Facts about the atom
Most of the atom is empty space
Electrons do not travel in orbits around the
nucleus they are located in energy levels
Energy levels have sub-levels
Atomic Structure
Energy Levels of Atoms
We said atoms are located in energy
levels
Electrons closest to the nucleus have the
lowest energy
The farther apart the energy levels the
greater the difference in energy
Atomic Structure
Energy Level in Atom
Max Number of Electrons
1
2
2
8
3
18
4
32
5
32
6
18
7
8
8
2
Atomic Structure
Chemical Symbols – Letters that
represent elements
Ex: Carbon  C; Lithium  Li; Copper 
Cu
•Atomic number – the
number of protons in an atom
•Atomic mass – the mass of
both neutrons and protons. Mass number
Atomic Structure
Some times atoms can
have variation in their
structures. They can have
two different forms of the
same atom.
Isotopes of atoms
have the same
number of protons
but a different
number of neutrons.
Atomic Structure
Atomic structure can also change when
electrons are added or subtracted from an
atom.
Ions form when atoms gain or lose
electrons
– Cations (positive ions)
– Anions (negative ions)
Assessment
Can I…
Define atoms
Identify the parts of an atom
Describe Variations to Atomic Structure
Identify chemical symbols for given
elements and determine the number of
protons, neutrons, and electrons from the
atomic and mass numbers.